food desert

noun

: an area where little fresh produce is available for sale
Despite the common perception of food deserts as city neighborhoods where fast food chains and convenience stores dominate, many of Kansas' food deserts are in rural areas. In some, residents have to drive 20 miles or farther to find a source of healthful food.Megan Hart

Examples of food desert in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Drive-thru food pantry feeds thousands in California food desert 03:53 8. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 30 Dec. 2024 These neighborhoods, described as food deserts with limited retail and delivery options, rely heavily on Amazon for essential goods. Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024 Grocery stores disappeared too, creating a food desert until Rise Community Market opened in Cairo in 2023. ProPublica, 10 Jan. 2025 That means that at the former diplomat's house (Virginia House), people had to tackle a social issue regarding food deserts in Richmond. Sabrina Moreno, Axios, 6 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for food desert 

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of food desert was in 1988

Dictionary Entries Near food desert

Cite this Entry

“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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